INDONESIA MASTERS SF – Antonsen in hunt for repeat title

Anders Antonsen has the chance to sweep the Indonesia Masters title for a second consecutive year as he claimed his semi-final victory against Hong Kong Open winner Lee Cheuk Yiu.

Story: Nadhira Hafsha, Badzine Correspondent live in Jakarta
Photos: Jnanesh Salian / Badmintonphoto (live)

Denmark’s Anders Antonsen (photo), who outclassed Kento Momota in last year’s Indonesia Masters final, continues his outstanding form with a 21-9, 21-14 win over unseeded Hong Kong shuttler Lee Cheuk Yiu.

The Dane was feeling content with the result, saying, “I think I played good variation and everything I did was a success today. I made fewer mistakes and I think that was the key today. It was just close to a perfect performance.

“[Lee] is a good player.  He has a lot of different qualities from other players. He is a really high top level player. When he plays his best, he is a really dangerous player. You have to be aware of his skills, techniques. You just have to be aware all the time.”

The European Champion will face the home favourite in the final round of his hunt for a repeat title: “Ginting is a super fast player, has a really good strokes, really good attacking player. Thus, I have to be really aware of everything he does and make sure he does not play his best tomorrow.”

No all-Danish final

Unlike his compatriot, Viktor Axelsen (photo) failed to proceed to the final after he was shut down by the crowd’s favourite Anthony Ginting in a 44-minute battle in the other semi-final.

It was a very tight and intense match in the first game before the Indonesian shuttler managed to pocket it 22-20. In the second game, the 23-year-old appeared to have learned a lot from the first game and finished it off easily 21-11.

“In the second game, Axelsen’s tactics did not go very well and I think that explains the big gap points. He has an advantage in managing high shuttles and I tried my best not to place the shuttle high,” said Anthony Ginting (photo) after the match.

“Praise the lord I played excellent today. I am happy with the result, not only because I get to play in the final, but also because I feel satisfied with my performance today,” added the Indonesian.

Despite leading his head-to-head record against his rival in the final, the seventh seed from Indonesia plans to play his best in Sunday’s final: “I will play to the fullest tomorrow. I learned a lot from the previous matches. I will mainly focus on my tactics and to maintain my focus.”

Finals line-up
XD:  Zheng Siwei / Huang Yaqiong (CHN) [1] vs. Wang Yilyu / Huang Dongping (CHN) [2]
WS:  Ratchanok Intanon (CHN) [4] vs. Carolina Marin (CHN)
MD:  Marcus Fernaldi Gideon / Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (INA) [1] vs. Mohammad Ahsan / Hendra Setiawan (INA) [2]
WD:  Greysia Polii / Apriyani Rahayu (INA) [8] vs. Maiken Fruergaard / Sara Thygesen (DEN)
MS:  Anders Antonsen (DEN) [4] vs. Anthony Ginting (INA) [7]

Click here for complete semi-final results